Mike Dean Slams VAR and Officiating in Scottish League After Celtic vs Rangers Clash

Mike Dean Slams VAR and Officiating in Scottish League After Celtic vs Rangers Clash

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has launched a scathing criticism of Scottish football’s officiating standards and the use of VAR after a controversial incident during the fiery Celtic vs Rangers showdown left fans and pundits baffled. The flashpoint came when Celtic defender Auston Trusty appeared to kick Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland in the face after the ball had already been safely gathered, yet the American was only shown a yellow card.

Dean, known for his outspoken views and wealth of experience at the top level of English football, did not hold back as he dissected the incident on a post-match broadcast. “That’s a straight red card every single day of the week,” Dean fumed. “You can’t go in with your stud slamming, make contact with the goalkeeper’s face after he’s got full control of the ball, and only get a yellow. It’s reckless, dangerous, and completely unnecessary, because it shows it was clearly after he collected the ball.”

The moment came midway through the first half when a loose ball rolled into the Rangers penalty area. Butland dived to collect it cleanly, but Trusty’s momentum carried him forward, and his raised boot struck the keeper in the face. The Rangers players immediately surrounded referee Nick Walsh, demanding a red card, but after a brief VAR check, the decision on the field stood — yellow card only.

Mike Dean, who oversaw hundreds of top-flight games during his refereeing career, was astonished that VAR failed to intervene decisively. “VAR is there to correct clear and obvious errors,” he said. “If that incident doesn’t fall into that category, then what does? The footage clearly shows Butland has the ball in his hands and Trusty’s boot goes straight into his face. That’s serious foul play — it endangers an opponent’s safety. The referee should’ve been sent to the monitor, and the outcome should’ve been a red card.”

Dean’s comments echo the growing frustration among supporters and managers across the Scottish Premiership who have consistently questioned the consistency and competence of VAR decisions this season. Both Celtic and Rangers have been at the centre of multiple VAR-related controversies, but this latest flashpoint — in one of the biggest fixtures in world football — has once again thrown the system into the spotlight.

“It’s not about bias, it’s about standards,” Dean continued. “Referees in Scotland need stronger guidance. Incidents like this make the league look amateurish when the technology and framework to make the right call are already in place. The VAR officials have to take responsibility — it’s their job to protect players and ensure the laws of the game are applied correctly.”

The fallout from the match has been fierce, with fans on social media divided and pundits calling for clearer communication from the Scottish FA regarding VAR procedures. For Mike Dean, though, the matter is simple: “If that challenge happens in the Premier League, Trusty’s walking off. It’s that straightforward. The Scottish game needs to get serious about officiating because moments like these can’t keep happening.”

As debates rage on, the spotlight remains firmly on VAR’s credibility north of the border — and Mike Dean’s blunt assessment has only intensified the pressure on Scottish officials to restore trust in the system.